later recanted and were pardoned) for "heresy, opposing the application of Islamic law, disturbing public security, provoking opposition against the government, and re-establishing a banned political party." The government forbade his unorthodox views on Islam to be discussed in public because it would "create religious turmoil" or a fitna (sedition). A special court of appeal approved the sentence on 15 January. Two days later President Nimeiry directed the execution for 18 January. Describing his hanging, journalist Judith Miller writes: Shortly before the appointed time, Mahmoud Muhammad Taha was led into the courtyard. The condemned man, his hands tied behind him, was smaller than I expected him to be, and from where I sat, as his guards hustled him along, he looked younger than his seventy-six years. He held his head high and stared silently into the crowd. When they saw him, many in the crowd leaped to their feet, jeering and shaking their fists at him. A few waved their Korans in the air. I managed to catch only a glimpse of Taha’s face before the executioner placed an oatmeal-colored sack over his head and body, but I shall never forget his expression: His eyes were defiant; his mouth firm. He showed no hint of fear. Despite his group of supporters (the Republican Brothers) were in small numbers, thousands of demonstrators protested his execution and police on horseback used bullwhips to drive back the crowd. The body was secretly buried. The President/military dictator at the time Gaafar Nimeiry was overthrown by popular uprising four months later, the execution thought to be a contributing factor. The date of his execution, January 18, later became Arab Human Rights Day. Fifteen years later when a Sudanese reporter asked Nimeiry about the death of Taha, Nimeiry expressed regret and accused Islamist Hasan al-Turabi (Minister of Justice at the time) of "secretly engineering" the execution. Others have also blamed al-Turabi for the execution. Works The Second Message of Islam. "Ar-Risalatu Thanyatu min al-Islam" الرسالة الثانية من الإسلام The Middle East Problem. "Mushkilatu Sharq al-Awsat" مشكلة الشرق الأوسط The Way-out. "Qul Hadha Sabeely" قل هذه سبيلي The Path of Muhammad. "Tarieq Muhammad" طريق محمد A Treaties on Prayer. "Risalatu Salati" رسالة الصلاة The Challenge Facing the Arabs. "At-Taheddy al-ladhi Yoajihu al-Arab" التحدي الذي يواجهه العرب See also Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im References Sources Alfikra.org - The Republican Thought (Arabic. English version here) 100 Years of Progressive Islam,